Spanish police have sent a team of experts to the French island of Corsica to retrieve a Pablo Picasso painting owned by a Spanish banker.

Authorities in Spain say the 1906 painting - Head Of A Young Woman - is a national treasure and could not be taken out of the country.

A spokesman for Spain's Civil Guard said four police experts in national heritage and several culture ministry officials flew early to recuperate the painting that is valued at 24 million euro (£17 million).

The officer said they expect to return with the painting later today.

The painting, owned by Jaime Botin, was seized by French police off a boat in late-July.